I have noticed some discussion about the problems encountered when replacing a behind-the-seat-gas tank with one under the bed. Mainly, two difficulties arise out of this: 1) Finding a gas tank to fit, and 2) routing a filler hose to said fuel tank. Of course, the first problem can be overcome, even if it means a reduced fuel capacity subsequent to smaller tank dimensions. I have an idea about how to solve the second of these problems, and would like to toss it out for the consideration of anyone who may be pondering this modification.

Let me say first of all that the rules I have set for myself in the restoration of my 1964 F-100 dictate that I will not alter the stock appearance of my truck (except maybe tires and rims)- so cutting a hole in the floor of my bed is a no-go. My idea is this: what about routing a filler tube through the rear stake pocket in the bed? It seems that this could be done, although it would require a small diameter hose, and possibly some fumbling around to remove and replace the filler cap while fueling,(as my vision of this includes the filler cap being recessed below the top of the bed rail)-- but it may be a solution.

Perhaps you have considered or attempted this. It may be that the stake pocket does not supply adequate room for this, or that the dimensions of the bed sidewalls (of course, this could only work on a fleetside bed) would prohibit it.

Just a thought. Will it work?

Nate
1964 F-100 292 v-8
1990 XLT Lariat 5.8L

 

Where theres a will theres a way, that is what makes American trucks great.

 

Nat do you think that the tank issue should be resolved first, before we install new filler hoses? Just wondering.


John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

I am planning on using a Ranger fuel tank on my 1965. I agree with John, make sure that my Ranger tank will fit and can be safly installed is first priority. If I can install it how I want, my idea for the filler neck was to drill a hole in the bottom of the cab and route the filler hose into the cab and connecting it to the stock filler location in the side of the cab. What do you guys think to that idea....

 

John,
Of course, I am not planning on running a filler hose to nothing. The tank issue is a matter of personal preference, balanced with what is available to each individual. In my case, I happen to have a good friend who is a boilermaker with a few pieces of stainless steel sheet metal lying around which will soon become a fuel cell made to my specifications- so that part is solved. Not everybody has this luxury, though, so I didn't address it in my post.

I wasn't trying to solve all of the world's problems now- just one at a time. I was only hoping to get some discussion and feedback on this idea in order that it might help me and anyone else who might be considering the same thing.

Nate

 

Nate it sure makes it easier for us non mind readers when you share that kind of info in your post. My concern now would be with the filler opening upright, would it be an invitation for all kinds of debris to get inside of the tank.


John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

John,
Thank you. This is exactly why I posted the above inquiry- to get pro/con feedback on my idea. I hadn't thought about the problem you proposed. It should be a valid concern, but one that might be overcome with a little ingenuity (sp?). Still tossing the idea around- any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.

I would like to hear from someone who has done what Tim Page (above) is considering. Is there a problem with the angle on the fill hose when doing this? (That is, not enough downward slope from bottom of cab to tank inlet?)

I know there are some engineering geniouses out there. Surely we can all come up with a solution.

Nate

 

i would like to remove the tank from my cab also,(71 f-100) but i have a question, does the filler neck you propose need to be hidden below an open stake pocket? if so i can solve that, a friend of mine made a filler cap and neck out of stainless stock and tubing for his hot-rod and have told him to put these items out for the hot-rodder market, his filler cap screws into the neck sealed by an o-ring the cap is the diameter of a half dollar,where you would grab it, (dont worry he said i could tell everyone)and is a nice piece. i think the stake pocket is a great idea, and if you dont mind id like to talk to my friend about it and see what he says..maybe even try it too.. i'll type back with the results, later

 

Yes, the idea was for the filler cap to be recesssed into the stake pocket, to prevent altering the external appearance.

Please, do talk to your friend. I don't have a monopoly on ides (no matter how hair-brained). His design sound like it might be good. I'd sure like to hear what your friend says- I need all the info I can get.

Nate

1964 F-100 Custom Cab 292 V-8 3 spd
1964 F-100 292 V-8 3 spd
1990 F-150 5.8L

 

Mocky,
If you would like, feel free to e-mail me with any other info/questions

Nate

1964 F-100 Custom Cab 292 V-8 3 spd
1964 F-100 292 V-8 3 spd
1990 F-150 5.8L

 

Nate, I'm gonna refer back to #2 as I think the horse is hitched behind the cart.

I don't believe that any well designed, filler will work well if there isn't a tank near by to fill. I can tell you that FE stands for Ford Edsel, that all 65 - 79 front ends will interchange, but I don't know of a ###### gas tank that will bolt up to ###### on your truck.

I realise that any single custom job can be done amd that is where ideas come from. Ford Pinto, and GM trucks have spent a gazillion dollars on faulty gas tanks, brought to the forfront with the tv camera. My concern is that we can find a safe gas tank that can fit in a safe place on the truck and be shared by all.

If hauling isn't a concern, in bed fillers can be easily configured. Carolina Classics has an inbed tank that takes up about 7 in. of space across the front of the bed and is filled directly into the tank.

I would like to hear that you can use XXXXX tank with hangers form XXXXX and install it XXXXXX on your truck safetly.

Good luck with yours.


John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth, one possible safe location for the tank would be were the spare tire mounts on style side trucks! Here you could put in a nice size tank between the frame rails.
Here's another idea, get those chrome exhaust pipes that run down the side of the body! and dump them out in front of the rear wheels. That should allow enough space I think! Just an idea. )

Claude
66'F250,352,4spd

 

I did see a filler pipe run up a stake pocket but the guy had used black plumbing pipe. The cap was a clean out type of plug, a sqaure headed threaded cap. It was only large enough to accept the diameter of the unleaded nozzle; this was at a time when we still had two sizes. He used a funnel to get leaded into it. The gas tank was from a 55 thru 57 Chevy and the guy had shopped around to find some small diameter fuel line. It was a clean installation and it avoided make any holes in the box floor or sides but it sure looked strange.
1965 F100 short box styleside

 

John,
It might be that a horse was designed to push a cart in the first place, and we humans never were smart enough to do it the right way.

Just kidding- my point is that we have 2 problems that need to be solved before relocating a tank. Both need to be solved before the process begins. I fail to understand why it matters whch order we follow in solving these problems, so long as we find safe and reasonable solutions to both of them.

Nope- ain't no sense in runnin' a hose when there ain't a tank to stick it into, but there ain't much sense in hangin' a tank without a way to get gas in it either.

Nate

1964 F-100 Custom Cab 292 V-8 3 spd
1964 F-100 292 V-8 3 spd
1990 F-150 5.8L

 

Nate, Farmers use horses to pull their loads because a lot of things that they haul are eatable, and if the horse could stand and eat all that he wanted, he wouldn't want to work. Looks like it got you thinking though.......

My thoughts, the filler lines being more flexable, could be located in more than one place, if we could find a replacement tank that is easy to use as a replacement saftly.

Good luck on your refit.


John

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.